After seeing their wining streak end last week, the Winona State University men’s basketball team had a chance to get back in the win column at home where the team has excelled.

The first game of the weekend was against the University of Minnesota-Duluth who has the best record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) north region.

The Warriors were up for the challenge as they got out to a nine-point lead run after giving up the opening basket to the Bulldogs.

Later on in the first half, the Bulldogs cut their deficit to four following three made free throws.

Junior forward Andrea Lo Biondo immediately responded with a three-pointer to push the lead to seven.

Winona State’s lead grew to double digits with 7:40 left in the half following a three-pointer made by sophomore guard Nick Klug.

At halftime, the Warriors held a 45-34 lead.

The Warriors were on fire from three-point range as they connected on 10 of 18 attempts.

From the field, the Warriors shot 53% and they held the Bulldogs to 42% shooting.

In the second half, the Warriors continued where they left off as they began the half with two jumpers made by senior guard Caleb Wagner.

They cruised to victory in the second half as the lead would be in double-digits throughout the remainder of the game.

In the 85-57 victory, Lo Biondo led the way with a double-double (15 points, 16 rebounds).

In the second game of the weekend, Winona State took on Saint Cloud State University.

The first half began fast-paced as both teams traded buckets early on.

Following an 8-8 tie, the Huskies went on an 8-0 run to get their biggest lead of the half.

That lead would be quickly cut to four following two made buckets by Wagner and Taylor.

Later in the half, the Huskies went on another run that would give them a 15-point lead with 4:40 remaining in the first half.

Winona State would keep the game competitive as they went on a 12-8 run to cut the Huskie lead to seven.

At halftime the score was 39-32.

Although only down by single digits, the Warriors were getting dominated on both ends as they held to 45% shooting and two made three pointers.

On offense, the Huskies shot over 60% from the field as they were constantly attacking the paint in the first half.

In the second half, the Huskies quickly got their lead back to eleven.

The Warriors started to get it going as they cut the Huskies lead to only 4 with 14:10 left in regulation.

As they were doing all game, the Huskies would go on a 10-0 run to make their lead 14.

The Warriors would answer back with a 23-7 run to take the 70-68 lead with 3:07 left in regulation.

That lead didn’t last for long, as the Huskies got a 73-70 lead with 1:28 left in regulation.

Two quick threes’ by Lo Biondo and Devin Whitelow would give the Warriors a three-point lead with 24 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Warriors had a chance to put the game away with Whitelow at the free throw line, but he would miss the one and one attempt and the Huskies would get the rebound and take a timeout.

The Huskies would tie the game with a made three-pointer right before the buzzer to take the game to overtime.

Saint Cloud State opened the extra frame with a three pointer then both teams traded buckets before Wagner gave the Warriors a lead following a made three.

The Huskies would tie the game at 83-83 with 2:22 left in overtime.

The Huskies went on a 7-0 run to win the game 90-83 as the Warriors struggled offensively in the final minutes of the game.

Next weekend the Warriors will look to bounce back on the road against Minot State University and University of Mary.

The opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of Winona State University, the Minnesota State Colleges and University system, or the Winona State University student body.